jupe
utah
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If my trailer only has 30 amp (3 prong) AC connection can it take a higher AMP charge of say 60 to 100 AMPs?
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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30 amp 120vac supply (3600w) can easily get you 100 amps into a 12v battery.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675 watts solar
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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Depends on what you plug that 30amp (AC) cord into, and whether the 100 amp charger has power factor correction. Also if using an extension cord onto that 30amp cord, how long it all is for voltage drop to keep the charger's input up within its input voltage specs.
The 30 amp service itself is plenty but you are more likely to be using a 15 or 20 amp circuit within that service. The generator might have a 30 amp receptacle like on my Honda 3000, but that is actually a 23.3 amp for output.
Lots of variables. I can use my Honda 3000 to run several chargers putting out total 130amps to my battery bank. I can go to 160 amps when using a PF corrected 100amper plus another 60 amps worth of non-PF corrected chargers before popping the Honda's breaker.
I have to be careful plugging chargers into the trailer's 15amp circuits to not pop their breakers. You have to spread the loads around between the trailer and generator receptacles so each circuit is not overloaded.
2003 Chev 2500HD Gas, 2003 Komfort 26FS 5er
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jupe
utah
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I have a Honda 2000 generator (had two of them but one of grew legs when I left our garage door open one day) so I would use that generator as needed daily to charge batteries when boon docking. Am I better to use generator with a good 3 stage charger? a good 3 stage converter? or both? Sounds like my one Honda 2000 generator would conceivably run enough power to put enough power to both the converter and generator?
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smkettner
Southern California
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jupe wrote:I have a Honda 2000 generator (had two of them but one of grew legs when I left our garage door open one day) so I would use that generator as needed daily to charge batteries when boon docking. Am I better to use generator with a good 3 stage charger? a good 3 stage converter? or both? Sounds like my one Honda 2000 generator would conceivably run enough power to put enough power to both the converter and generator?
I recommend the 55 amp IOTA with the Honda 2000. No extra portable charger is needed. To get best performance I also recommend pulling #4 wire to the battery including ground connections.
http://www.bestconverter.com/DLS-55-55-Amp-Power-Converter-wIQ4_p_337.html
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Byrogie
Okotoks
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"Am I better to use generator with a good 3 stage charger? a good 3 stage converter?"
Either is good...I Have 2 x 27'S, did the charger for a awhile and eventually changed the converter. Depends if you want to go through the charger connection procedure. I got tired of that and changed the converter to a PD45.
Some converters don't like a separate charger added, mine doesn't.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
Really we need to know what converter is in the fifth wheel. If it is an Iota or Progressive Dynamics probably it may not be cost effective to upgrade.
If it is not then I'd follow smk's advice.
If it is, then add some solar and go boondocking. It is sometimes almost unbelievable how a solar system can "rescue" batteries that are "down and out" by generator charging standards.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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jupe
utah
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Keystone tells me it is a WFCO 65 Amp. I am going out to my trailer tomorrow to take a look at inverter to determine exactly which one it is and if a three stage or not.
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jupe
utah
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Forgot to say thanks for all the help so far. I have learned a lot. greatly appreciated
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smkettner
Southern California
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WFCO is a three stage but due to the typical set up you will never see boost mode.
Give it a go. When the battery is low watch the voltage at the 12v panel during initial charging. To see boost mode you will need to see less than 13.2 and then it will steadily rise to 14.4 volts. Most likely will not see much below 13.6 and it will just hold steady right there.
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